Without hesitating, Urahara grabbed Benihime from where she rested by the side of bed and pushed the bottom of the cane against Ichigo's chest, effectively popping his soul out of his body. Ichigo's body laid on the bed, slack-jawed, staring blankly up at the ceiling. Urahara reached over and closed his eyes, looking up at the orange-haired teen.
"Kisuke, I -" Ichigo said, looking him in the eyes.
"Go, Ichigo. Just...please be safe." Urahara knew that he couldn't stop him from leaving. And with the air getting thicker around them, he knew that they were going to be in some trouble soon, and the faster Ichigo was able to go elsewhere, the faster they could get the situation under control here.
Ichigo raced over to the bedroom door and yanked it open. "Oy! Where're you going?" Renji was making his way down the hallway. "Do you feel that?"
"That's why I'm going," Ichigo said, walking as fast as he could through the shoten. "I need to make sure the others are okay."
Renji grabbed Ichigo by the shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. Ichigo whirled around and stared at him. "What the fuck, Renji?"
"Don't go into this blindly," Renji said. "If it's those guys you met before, then you need to go into this with caution."
Removing the redhead's hand, Ichigo turned back around. "I got it. Please, protect everyone here." He walked out, beginning to use shunpo as soon as his feet touched the gravel.
Urahara appeared behind Renji. "Come along, Abarai."
"Why are you just letting him go?" Renji asked, turning to look at the shopkeeper. "Out of all the people, I would think that you would want to keep him here, and not let him go out there alone."
Sighing, Urahara looked down at the floor. "Of course I want to keep him here. And that's just why I can't."
"You are making no sense, Kisuke." Renji said, popping his soul candy into his mouth. His shinigami form pulled his Zanpakutō, Zabimaru, from his waist..
"Urahara-san?" Ririn poked her head from behind the door jam. "Is there something going on?"
"You three, stay inside," Urahara said. "Yes, there is, but you'll be safer here." He looked at Renji. "I don't have to make sense, Abarai. Now, do you want to go and see what's going on outside, or shall I?"
The redhead shook his head. "I can handle it." He darted outside, leaving the shopkeeper alone with the mod souls.
"Can we do anything?" Kurōdo asked. "Shall we get our gigai?"
But the shopkeeper didn't hear him. He was already racing through the house, trying to find the black cat he knew was still there.
Moving as fast as he could, Ichigo made his way to where he could feel the spiritual pressure increasing. His breath came out fast, as he sped up to reach the area he knew that Sado lived. Where are the others? Are they here? Didn't Yumichika and Ikkaku go home with both Sado and Ishida? But before he could dwell on it any further, he saw Sado standing in the middle of the street, his left arm already in its Brazo Derecha de Gigante form. Ichigo raced faster towards his friend as he saw a hand begin to make its way towards the giant's chest, where the medallion his grandfather had given him rested. With only seconds to spare, Ichigo made it just before the hand struck the medallion, effectively thwarting any danger to befall on Sado.
"I-Ichigo..." Sado's voice shook, apparently shocked that he had been spared at the last second possible.
The substitute shinigami took in the person that had tried to hurt his friend. "Get out of here Chado." He pushed the hand that he had been holding away from him. He sized up the opponent that had just tried to take out his friend without a proper fight. The odd-shaped headdress on their head, as well as the large circle that was placed where his sternum should be made Ichigo think of it as a Hollow of some sort. He wore the same white garb that the two in the park had been wearing. Whether he was similar to those that he had fought in the park was yet to be determined, but if the reiatsu and clothing were any indicator, all signs were pointing to yes. He reached behind him and drew Zangetsu, the white fabric falling back to the hilt. He turned and saw Sado still standing there. "What are you still doing here? GO!"
"I can help Ichi-"
The orange-haired teen shook his head. "Go, please. You can't help me here. The others need you. Where are they?"
"They felt the reiatsu spike and went to investigate." Sado said. "Look, I can -"
"So...did you two forget about me?" The one that had tried to attack Sado spoke, his tone caustic. "Because, you know...I could just let you two keep bickering amongst yourselves."
Ichigo glared at the man. "If you want a fight, then that's what you'll have."
"Ichi-" Sado began.
But Ichigo chose to ignore him, as he stared at the figure in front of him. Trying to judge what the headdress on his head was hiding, Ichigo took in the man's jagged, abnormal looking teeth. What the hell is this guy? He stood and drew Zangetsu in front of him. He swung, knowing that he wasn't going to be able to hit the guy, but then stood in shock when the man threw up his hand, blocking the blade. Did he...
"Surprised, Shinigami?" The stranger grinned. He kept the blade pressed into the side of his hand. "I'm Arrancar Dieciseis, Di Roy."
"Sad-" Sado began to speak, having not left the fight just yet, much to Ichigo's chagrin.
"If I listened to the names of everyone I was about to trash, there wouldn't be enough time." Di Roy interrupted Sado from speaking any further.
Ichigo smirked, pulling the blade away from the man's hand. "You know, you sure do talk a lot." Shit. He's an Arrancar. Does that mean, his strength is going to be like that of the ones in the park? He held up his blade, pointing the tip at where the Hollow hole resided in the man's sternum.
"Ichigo!" Sado's voice was strained.
Before he could process what was happening, the reiatsu increased tenfold in the area that he stood. Is this guy putting that much pressure out? Ichigo's eyes widened, trying to sense where the arrancar had gone. He couldn't feel anything but the overwhelming reiatsu, almost making him physically sick. There's no way that -
Looking up at the sky, Ichigo saw another man, dressed in the same white garb as the chatty man before, stood high up above them. "Leave," the shadowed figure said. Ichigo saw the man he had been posing to fight take off with the blink of an eye, disappearing into the night. Shock coursed through Ichigo as he was left with the being that seemed to be exuding an abnormal amount of high reiatsu. He could not tell if Sado had remained behind him or if he had finally taken heed of his warning and had run off. The only thing he could focus on was the figure above him.
"How do you do, shinigami? I'm Arrancar Sexta - Grimmjow!" The being up above spoke down to him, fear racing through Ichigo's mind. If the one I was about to fight was number sixteen, and this guy is ten below him... "Maybe he's not going to be as tough, eh?" Shut up, Shiro. I really fucking doubt it works that way. "You never know until you ask, hmm?"
The hole on this arrancar's body was not in the same location as Di Roy's, it was down towards the center of his body, where the man's stomach should have been. In fact, it was where the last two stomach muscles should have been to complete the man's very defined six-pack. He wore a white jacket that was kept open, exposing his chest, with a black collar. The sleeves were not full length, they stopped just above the arrancar's elbows. His hakama were full length, unlike the jacket. There appeared to be a Zanpakutō tucked at the left side of his waist, the hilt jutting out. Finally looking up at him, Ichigo felt his breath leave his body as he saw the man's face for the first time.
The arrancar called Grimmjow had baby blue spiky hair, the lightness of the color a stark contrast against the night's sky. On his face was a growth that looked like his jaw was growing on the outside, rather than beneath the skin. His Hollow mask? Is that what that is? "Gee, what gave that away?" Shiro... He saw that there appeared to be markings beneath the corner of his eyes, but he could not see them in the darkness. Grimmjow's eyes were a bright cerulean, gleaming in the moonlight.
Ichigo charged at the man once he was down on the ground, only to have him block Zangetsu with his forearm, then gripped the blade with his fingers. How is he doing that? Unable to sense his next move, Ichigo was suddenly pushed backwards as the force of the arrancar's reiatsu propelled him backwards, forcing him to be up in the air, away from the ground. Shit!
"Oy, are you making fun of me? There's no way I want to fight you like this. This form on you is...less than appealing. How about this? How about you release that bankai of yours. And don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about. I saw exactly what Ulquiorra saw. I know that you're hiding a power within you." Grimmjow's hand was still up in the same position it had been when Ichigo first attacked him.
Looking down, Ichigo felt the adrenaline race through his body. "You think you can draw me out with those taunts?" He could hear his voice, but it didn't sound like him. The question came out sounding not like him at all. Perhaps it was those teal markings underneath the arrancar's eyes, making his cerulean eyes stand out even more, now that he could see his face in the proper light. What the hell? He felt his stomach begin to flip-flop, the way it had before when he had gone on those roller coasters at the pier with Shinji. Am I nervous? "Course, ya are. You know you can't win against this arrancar. Especially if he's number six." Right. Nerves. Got it. Before he could say anything else, the bluenette spoke again.
"Are you just going to stay up there all day? I mean, I know we've got lots of time and all, but this is getting to be pretty boring. Don't make me wait, shinigami." Grimmjow taunted.
Closing his eyes, Ichigo tried to regain control of the situation. Stay out of my head, Shiro. I don't need your help right now. Got it? When he didn't hear the Hollow inside of him reply, he knew that he may have finally found a way to get the other to be quiet. Holding Zangetsu up with his right hand, he brought his left hand up and placed it on his right wrist. Channeling the reiatsu around him, Ichigo drew his power up and yelled out, "Bankai!"
"So, it is you," Grimmjow muttered under his breath from down below. "Wonderful."
His kimono now longer, Zangetsu now obsidian and skinny, Ichigo took off and charged at the arrancar. Grimmjow dodged his attack, and extended his leg, kicking Ichigo in the gut, making the substitute shinigami grunt out in pain. Skidding to a stop, Ichigo charged back towards the arrancar, undeterred by what had just happened. The bluenette deflected his attack once, sending him backwards. As the arrancar charged towards him, Ichigo used shunpo to move out of the way, trying to remember all the things that Urahara had taught him, as this opponent was starting to show himself to be more and more aggressive. However, it seemed that the arrancar had a few tricks up his own sleeve as well. The minute Ichigo tried to strike him from behind, he was gone in a flash, moving almost as fast, if not faster, than what the substitute shinigami had just done.
The arrancar was down back on the ground, grinning up at him. Ichigo landed on his feet and charged, keeping Zangetsu out in front of him. As he approached his opponent, he thought he had the upper hand, until Grimmjow reached out and grabbed Zangetsu by the blade. Ichigo was too stunned that his opponent had actually grabbed it by the blade, and became even more surprised that Grimmjow was using his own weapon against him. His eyes became large as he felt himself fly through the air, being propelled by the forceful throw of Grimmjow, who had flung him across the street, letting go of Zangetsu.
Unable to stop himself, Ichigo swore under his breath. "Damn it!" He launched himself off the pavement, as the ground was not giving him any resistance from the throw. He stood in the air, his fist clenched tightly. Who the fuck is this guy? He couldn't think for too long, as the bluenette was back in his face, his left fist flying fast to his own visage. Ducking out of the way, Ichigo used shunpo to appear on the other side of him, ready to attack once more. And just as before, the bluenette arrancar grabbed Zangetsu as if it were a fly stuck on flypaper and held Ichigo. Trying to react, Ichigo did not plan for the arrancar to use his feet, and before he knew it, he was flying back towards the earth, having been kicked by the arrancar's left leg.
He landed in the street, a crater forming around the area where he had fallen. Standing up as quickly as he could, Ichigo swayed in his spot, gripping Zangetsu as tightly as he could, fear racing through his mind as he watched the bluenette ascend at an accelerated speed to where he was standing on the ground. Please, give me strength. Please... He brought up his Zanpakutō, and prepared to unleash his powerful Getsuga Tenshō, but as he was about to release his attack, Grimmjow stopped him cold with the side of his left arm. Without hesitation, Grimmjow raised up his foot and struck Ichigo in the face, sending him flying backwards once more, only coming to a stop when his body struck a guardrail, preventing him from going any further.
Ichigo could barely move. My entire body...Kami...how am I supposed to do this...Kisuke...What...what am I doing wrong? He tried to stand up, but found that his body was not willing to cooperate with him. He could hear the sounds of someone walking towards him, no doubt the one that was responsible for his current state of distress. Looking up, he watched as the arrancar approached it, and unable to stop him, was pulled up off the guardrail, and held in place by his right hand. Not knowing what to expect, Ichigo let out a groan as Grimmjow's left fist connected with his face. Grimmjow let go of his kimono and began to punch his face repeatedly. All Ichigo could do was stand there, as he had absolutely no energy or drive to stop him from attacking. Grimmjow cackled as he continued to pummel his face, over and over and over. In his mind, Ichigo could see the last time he had engaged in a fight like this, when he was attempting to save Orihime from the two in the park, and now...now look at what was happening. He couldn't do anything to save anyone, not even himself. Kisuke...I'm so sorry... The bluenette stopped punching, allowing Ichigo's body to finally begin to fall towards the ground. Grimmjow, however, was not done yet, and threw one last punch at the substitute shinigami, forcing Ichigo back up into the air, the momentum of the hit sending him sky high.
Gasping for breath, Ichigo could do nothing to stop himself, but it was not necessary. Seconds passed, and the arrancar was up in the air with him, extending his leg out to kick him. Ichigo let out a grunt as he fell back to the earth, all hope within him lost.
"You call that your bankai?" Grimmjow taunted from his perch high up in the sky. "Tscch, that was nothing. The only thing that improved was your speed? You've got to be -"
"Let me help you!" I...I don't give a shit, Shiro. I can't do anything right now. "I'll give you my strength. Just hit the fucking bastard! Fight back!" The smoke had yet to clear from where Ichigo had fallen to the ground, giving him just enough cover as the added boost of strength appeared from his inner Hollow. Allowing Shiro to control his movements without manifesting, he yelled out loud, "Getsuga Tenshō!" The red and black wave of energy went sailing up to the arrancar, who had stopped speaking to block the attack.
Grimmjow lowered his arms, his chest now baring a gash across it from where Ichigo's attack had hit him at full power. "What the hell was that? Ulquiorra didn't say anything about that on his report, Shinigami!" He grinned down at the battered Ichigo.
"So, maybe I won't disappoint you then, arrancar?" Ichigo felt the small burst of strength had helped him regain his balance and a sense of pride, helping him stand up and keeping himself upright as they bantered back and forth with one another.
Cackling, the bluenette kept the grin on his face. "Now you're talking, shinigami! Finally, you're worth killing."
Ichigo debated on what to do next, as he could feel Shiro's power beginning to come forward more than he had anticipated. Damn it, Shiro. I took your help. You need to stay out of this for right now. I've almost got him. "Hah! Do you see yourself? Look at the damage he took with that blow. You didn't do shit. You need me, asshole." Looking up at the arrancar, he saw that the wound was not as deep as he had originally thought, making his mind start to cave in on itself. Shit, shit, shit.
"Oy! You just gonna stand there, shinigami?" Grimmjow taunted him once more, trying to draw him back into a fight.
Ichigo held his hand over his face, not wanting the other to see what he had hoped was not there yet, if Shiro was going to listen to him. He blanched at the sound of a garganta opening, unsure of what was happening. Grimmjow was not made aware of the garganta, as he continued to speak. "Now it's going to be my turn!" Reaching down the arrancar began to draw his Zanpakutō. He stopped speaking as a hand descended onto his shoulder.
"Put away your sword, Grimmjow." The man with a silver band-like visor over his eyes spoke quietly.
"Tōsen!" Grimmjow said, sheathing his sword.
The substitute shinigami could not believe what he had just heard. "Tōsen? The taichou that disappeared with Aizen?" Ichigo could not stop himself from speaking out loud, still in shock at what he was seeing.
"Why are you here?" Grimmjow asked the quiet man.
"Why am I here? You really don't understand, do you? You infiltrated the world of the living without orders, mobilized five arrancar to go with you without permission, and lost. All are against orders. You understand, yes? Aizen-sama is quite upset with you. Let's go. Your punishment awaits in Hueco Mundo." The blind taichou raised his hand and opened another garganta, the sound sending Ichigo's stomach down to his feet.
Ichigo yelled out in frustration. "Wait! Where are you going?"
"Shut up! I'm going back home to Hueco Mundo."
"No way!" Ichigo shouted, anger filling his senses. All weakness he had felt before was gone in an instant. "You came and attacked, and now you're leaving? Our match isn't over!"
"Shut up!" Grimmjow turned and looked down at him. "The one who's life was spared because of this was yours, shinigami. That earlier technique you threw my way damages you as well. You wouldn't beat me in my released state." Grimmjow flashed him another bright smile, sending unknown feelings through Ichigo's body. "Remember my name, and pray that you never hear it again. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez! Next time you hear it, it will mean your end, shinigami," Grimmjow walked through the garganta, the fabric of space closing with a sickening sound.
Staring up at the empty space, Ichigo could not figure out what had just happened. First, one of the ones from the Gotei 13 showed up to collect the arrancar he had been fighting, and he had gone off, like an obedient puppy. His body was still in extreme pain, and couldn't believe how far away he was from Sado's place at the moment. Chado! Shit! Di Roy! Oh, fuck. I hope that Chado is okay. Finally feeling the exhaustion take back hold of his body, Ichigo fell down to the ground, panting hard.
"Did the arrancars leave?" Renji's voice came from the side of him. "Did you win?"
Ichigo looked over at the redhead and took a deep breath. "I...I lost."
"The fact that you're alive means you won, Ichigo." Renji said, holding out his hand to the substitute shinigami.
"Don't lie," Ichigo took the offered hand. "If you were me, you wouldn't say that. You would be feeling the same way I am right now." He groaned as his body still was not willing to cooperate with what his mind had wanted. "Where's...where's everyone else? And what the hell is that flower doing on your chest?" Ichigo pointed at the lotus flower that was on Renji's left pectoral.
Renji grabbed Ichigo's arm tightly. "Everyone is regrouping back at Urahara's. Come on. Can you shunpo right now?"
"I...I'm not sure..." Ichigo said truthfully.
"No matter. Just relax, and I'll take us back there, okay?" Renji said. Ichigo did as he was told and felt the redhead guide him back to the shoten, his mind still going a mile a minute, even if his body was unable to.
They came to a sudden stop outside the shop, and could hear the din of everyone speaking. On the porch was Urahara, waiting patiently for them. Jumping off the small porch, Urahara walked over to them and picked up Ichigo into his arms, carrying him bridal style.
"K-Kisuke..." Ichigo's voice cracked.
"Shhh...don't speak right now," Urahara said, holding him close. "Let's get you healed, and then we can talk, alright?" His lips pressed against Ichigo's left temple, sending comfort through Ichigo's body. He whispered softly, "Kami, I'm so glad to see you." Speaking a bit louder, Urahara continued. "You did very well, Ichigo."
Snorting, Ichigo felt the tears slip from his eyes. "If you only knew..."
"No more talking," Urahara commanded.
Nodding his head, Ichigo allowed his lover to take him to one of the empty rooms, and let out a soft sigh as his head hit the pillow.
…
A/N: And now we've met Grimmjow. My apologies for not updating this sooner, but it's been a very rough month for me, both IRL and writing this story. Up next, the aftermath, and what happened to the others while Ichigo was battling Grimmjow. ^_^ Thanks for reading!
